I actually am celebrating Thanksgiving twice this year. My neighbors the Pfaffs hosted Thanksgiving on Thursday and invited 24 people! Half of them have been serving in the branch here for a long time and half of them have just arrived, and David and I were the only short term members. It was a very nice meal. On Sunday afternoon a family I work with at the primary school is hosting 6 singles along with their family for my second celebration.

Things are all set up for me to visit the village of the family I am the support team for, the Whitneys. I will go out December 11 - 18. The only problem is that the day we leave is the Christmas chapel at the primary school. I need to be there for that. The pilot is willing to wait to leave until the program is done at 10:00, but if the clouds don't stay away, we might not be able to get into the village. I would be really disappointed if that happened, so I would appreciate your prayers.

Also in December I'll be going for a vacation with friends in a city on the east coast called Lae. If you have a map of PNG, it is probably on there.

I am enjoying living with my new housemate, Maria from Finland. She will be here until December 15. She is helping with Mother Tongue Studies (teaching Finnish kids to speak Finnish).

My knee continues to make encouraging progress in healing, but there is still a long way to go. The family who lent me their car while they were on furlough will be returning in late January, so you can pray that God will provide another method of transportation when the need arises. I live at the top of a large hill that is steep even if I had two good legs!

Thank you to all who have sent me emails. It was encouraging to me to hear from new people and old friends. Reading my email is a highlight of my day. God bless you all as you celebrate the Christmas season.